March 26, 2009

The direct connection with the public through social media can be a
blessing when it comes to marketing
yourself online, but there are a few
guidelines which you’ll need to keep in mind to attract and interact
successfully with the right audience.

Location: Choosing
your appropriate location has a big impact on your audience. If you are trying
to connect with users in the wrong social media sphere, they’re probably going
to be irritated or are not going to accept you. Make sure you are listed in the
popular social media locations, but always target the themed areas where you feel welcomed and free to interact.

Content & Interaction: When
it comes to social media, etiquette and protocol are vital to attracting an
audience. Social media is generally more casual than its traditional
counterparts, but always stick to your brand identity and maintain this professionalism,
even in a one-on-one arena.

Offer value in all your interactions with the online public. Asking
questions and holding online polls is a great way to gain understanding into your audience (while showing that you care).

Try to be seen as an ambassador for your industry. Be the go-to guy or girl when your audience has a question or
comment. By offering advice and information to those who seek it you will be
creating natural content and improving your online visibility and
transparency.

Incentives: Convincing
users to join your conversation can be aided with incentives. If offering
information and advice (as mentioned above) isn’t enough, a contest or
competition could be what you need to attract attention.

Of course, what all of the above does is that it leads to links being
generated – which are fantastic for your visibility. However, if you have a central hub which you can use
as the focal point of your branding and visibility efforts, you will be much
better off.

Social media is a powerful tool for increasing your online visibility,
be sure to read this post on which
social media channels you’ll need to utilise for your branding efforts.